There are studies which show that levels of some hazardous pollutants rise significantly during the Diwali period, but there are also other factors that could account for poor air quality.

Seasonal pollution

Air pollution has become a growing problem for India in recent years.

Image copyrightAFP

Image caption
Smog is a regular issue around this time of the year in Delhi

The World Health Organization (WHO) database on air quality lists nine Indian cities in the top 20 worldwide for the highest annual concentrations of PM2.5 – one of the most harmful particles for human health.

The levels are way above recommended the WHO guidelines for concentrations of PM2.5.

What are PM 2.5 particles?

Particulate matter, or PM2.5 is a type of pollution involving fine particles fewer than 2.5 microns (0.0025mm) in diameter

A second type, PM10, is of coarser particles with a diameter of up to 10 microns

The government’s own Central Pollution Control Board lists 15 substances in fireworks which it says are “hazardous and toxic”.

Again it needs to be added that some of these substances are also produced by vehicle emissions.

However, there probably is some logic to attempts to restrict the use of fireworks – if only on the basis that they contribute to an existing problem in cities that are already some of the most polluted on earth.

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